Skylight construction



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VEN TORS. 739( 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 16, 1958 Flled June 28 1955 c. H. STARK HAL 2,851,973

SKYLIGHT CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1%. ,1. 1 WMZ, Vlf i 1,; M 5 Wn@ w v l 4 @W K n W .A l/AOJ un., 24W M f1-ci sept. 16, V195.5:

Filed June 28, 1955 United States liatent snr/LIGHT coNsrRUcrroN Charles H. Stark, Toledo, Ohio, and George H. Leuke, Elmhurst, Ill.; said Stark assignor to @wensnlllinois Glass Company, a corporation of Ohio Application June 28, 1955, Serial No. 518,473

9 Claims. (Cl. IUS-16) This invention relates to skylights and particularly to a construction for mounting a prefabricated skylight panel over a roof opening.

In one type of skylight construction which is currently used, a prefabricated panel of double glazed glass units or of a multiplicity of glass blocks is mounted on an elevated curb surrounding the opening in a roof.

lt is an object of this invention to provide a novel frame structure for such a prefabricated panel which is an integral part of the prefabricated panel.

lt is a further object of the invention to provide such a novel panel structure which may be easily mounted on the supporting curb and is adapted to form a weatherproof construction with the roofing materials.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a structure wherein the mounting of the panel on the roof opening may be accomplished quickly and with a minimum of effort.

ln the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a part sectional perspective View of a skylight panel embodying the invention and mounted over a roof opening.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view showing the relative arrangement of the parts at the corner of the panel.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevational view showing the construction when used in mounting adjacent panels.

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevational View of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a sectional elevational view of a construction for mounting adjacent panels using the modified structure shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a wire used in the structure shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the corner construction in the modified structure shown in Fig. 5.

As shown in Fig. l, a skylight 11i comprises a multiplicity of double glazed units such as glass blocks 11 mounted within a frame 12. The joints between the glass blocks may comprise metal strips and mortar, for example, as shown in the patent to Leuke 2,419,267. The entire panel is mounted on a curb 13 which projects upwardly from roof 14 and surrounds an opening in the roof. The sides of the curb 13 are inclined upwardly and inwardly in order to provide a surface on which the roofing and flashing materials may be laid upwardly into contact with the frame of the skylight panel 1li. The

skylight panel is mounted on the curb in substantially horizontal position, a slight inclination being preferably provided in order to insure drainage of water off the surface of the panel. This inclination may be on the order of one-quarter inch per foot.

Referring to Fig. 3, the frame 12 is preferably made of extruded metal such as aluminum and comprises a generally vertical wall 15. The frame 12 also includes Ylee a downwardly and outwardly extending wall 16 having.

generally the same inclination with the vertical as the tapered surface of the curb 13, a short downwardly extending vertical wall 17 and an inwardly extending horizontal wall 13 on which the glass blocks which are nearest the edge of the panel are mounted. A short rib 1? extends upwardly from the horizontal Wall 18 and is spaced inwardly from the inner edge of the wall 18. This rib 19 serves to position the glass blocks during the fabrication of the panel.

The frame 12 also includes a downwardly and outwardly extending leg 2t) intermediate the ends of the vertical wall 15, the leg 20 having generally the same.

The skylight panel is fabricated at the factory or some.

other suitable place by first positioning the frame members and thereafter arranging the blocks in position with the desired spacing. The joints between the blocks may be similar to those shown in the Lenke patent, and the specific joint does not form a part of this invention.

The joint or connection between the blocks and the frame members is shown in Fig. 3. rfhe block 11 is positioned on the horizontal wall 1S with the edge of the clock abutting against the rib 19. A suitable filler material 25 having high insulating properties is then placed in the space between the block 11 and the frame 12 to a level corresponding with the upper edge of the hook shaped projection 24.

A plastic sealing material'26 adapted to provide a moistureproof joint is then placed over the filler material 25 filling the space between the block 11 and the frame 12. After the filler material and plastic material have set, the panel is ready for delivery to the building or other structure on which it is to be installed.

After delivery to the site and when it is desired to mount the panel on the curb 13, the panel is placed on the curb with the horizontal wall 18 of the frame 12 in contact with the upper surface o-f the curb 13. Small anchor plates 27 are fastened at spaced points along the side of the curb 13 and are adapted to engage the inclined wall 16 of the curb fo-r securing the panel to the curb. The curb 13 may be made of any suitable material into which nails or screws may be driven, for example, wood or gypsum. Roofing material 21 is then placed along the inclined surface of the curb 13 extending between the flat roof 14- and the upper end of the curb. The roofing material may comprise layers of roofing felt cemented together. Flashing material 29 is then applied over the roofing material and extends between the roof and into the area between the inclined leg Ztl and the inclined wall 16 and abuts against the vertical wall 15 of the frame 12.

The flashing may comprise layers of flashing felt cut evenly and cemented together with bituminous plastic cement. The rooting material and hashing material are nailed to the curb at points along the sides of the panel preferably by means of roofing nails 30 driven through dat metal discs 31. A layer of bituminous plastic cement is then troweled over the top layer of the flashing material and a mineral surfaced roofing 32 is placed over the cement. Bituminous plastic cement 33 is placed between the inclined leg 20 and the mineral surfaced roofing 32 and a metal flashing strip 34 is snapped into p0- sition.

"As shown in Fig. 3, the metalA hashing-strip 34 comprises a short vertical wall 3S, an inclined leg 36 extending from the lower end of the vertical wall 35 and aishort lat, projection 37 extending from the upper end ofthe vertical wall 15. The size and-shape of the ashing 34 is such that the llashing may snap into contigous4 relationship with the outer surface of wall 1S and theunder surface of ilat rim 21 of the frame 12. The flashing 34 also includes a short hook 38 extending from` the lower surface of the leg 36 and projecting inwardly below the inclined leg 20 when the lashing strip 34 is in position. After the flashing strip 34 is snapped into position, additional plastic cement is added to point and fill the-'area between the leg 36 and the layer 32.

Metal corner plates 39 are provided and include short vertical portions 40 and inclined portions 41.y Each corn`er` plate 39 is positioned over the tlashing strips 34 at the cornerswith the vertical portions 40 contacting the vertical wall 35 and the inclined portions 39 contacting the inclined leg 36 of the llashing strips34. Small metal screws 42 are then screwed through the inclined portion 41.and the llashing strip 34. Finally, plastic cement is used to llthe space between the corner plates 39 and the kmineral layer 32.

By this construction, a weatherproof mounting is provided for the skylight panel. The novel frame structure is an integral part of the prefabricated panel and the entire panel may be easily mounted on the supporting curb with a minimum of effort.

Where it is desired to mount several skylight panels over a large roof opening, a structure such as shown in Fig. 4 may be used. Structural members 43 are mounted across the opening between the curbs, and an insulated cover plate 44 is positioned over the supports 43. The adjacent prefabricated panels 10 are laid with their edges supported by the insulated cover plate. A ller strip 45 is positioned between the panels l and may be held in position, for example, by a screw 46 extending through the cover. plate 44. Layers of roofing material 47 and flashing material 48 are then applied as in the previous form of the invention, extending between the vertical Walls 15 and overlying the inclined leg 16 and the upper surface of the filler strip 4S. Bituminous plastic cement 33 is placed between-the upper layer of flashing material 48 andthe inclined leg 20 of the frame and the llashing strip 34` is snapped into position. Finally, additional plastic 'cement is forced between the upper layer of ashing material 48 and the leg 36 of the flashing strip 34. By this construction, a multiplicity of panels may be mounted over a large roof opening, the space between adjacent panels providing a drainage trough for the ready drainage of rain or snow.

A modified form of the tlashing strip is shown in Fig.

5. The frame 12 is of identical structure as that shown in Figs. 1 through 4 except that the lip 22 is positioned nearer -to the vertical wall 15, and the flashing strip 34' is provided only with a vertical portion 35 and an inclin'ed portion 36. The llashing 34 is held in position by a' wire49 which is snapped between the 'lip 22' of the frame 12 and the vertical portion 35 of the ilashing 34. As shown in Fig. 7, the wire 49 may have portionsA 50 thereof bent downwardly to form a means for gripping the `wire for ready insertion and removal thereof.jl The corner joints in the -form of the invention shown in Fig.,5 are formed by having the flashing strips bent upwardlyas at 51, and a channel shaped clip 52 is slipped over thejabutting portions Slto form the corner joint (Fig. 8). In addition, the hook shaped projection 24.is eliminated. In Fig. 6 'isshown a structure for mounting a multiplicity.of,panels in.adjacent relationship over a large opening and `utilizing the-modified structure shown in Fig. 5. The panels are mounted in the same manner as shown in Fig. 4.

We claim:

1. In a skylight construction, the combination comprising a roof having an opening therein, a curb extending upwardly from and surrounding the opening in said roof, a prefabricated panel supported in substantially horizontal position by said curb, said panel comprising a frame and a multiplicity of glass block units mounted within said frame, said frame including a generally vertical wall and a downwardly and outwardly inclined leg extending from said ,frame at a'point intermediate the top and bottom of said vertical wall, roofing material extending from said roof over said curb into underlying relationship with'said inclinedl leg, lsaid frame including a substantially tlat rirn extending along-the upper edge of said vertical wall and overlying at least a part of said inclined leg of the frame, a tlashing strip adapted to be positioned on said frame in contacting relationship with said inclined leg and extending beyond the outer edge of said inclined leg, means for holding said strip inv position, said frame including a wall sloping downwardly and outwardly from the lower end of the vertical wall and inclined at substantially the same angle as the inclined leg, and a peripheral portion extending inwardly from said inclined portion, said blocks adjacent said frame being supported on said latter rim.

2. In a skylightV construction, a frame for a skylight adapted to be mounted in generally horizontal position over an opening, saidframe comprising a generally vertical wall, a ilat rim extending along the upper edge of said Wall, an inclinedv leg extending outwardly from said frame at a point intermediate the top and bottom of said wall, said frame including a downwardly and outwardly inclined wall extending from the lower end of said walland inclined at substantially the same angle as said inclined leg, a tlat portion extending inwardly from the lower end of the inclined wall,said fiat portion serving to support the glass blockswhich are adjacent said frame, means extending` inwardly from said llat portion for positioning said glass blocks, including a llashing strip adapted to be positioned on said frame in contacting relationship with said. inclined leg and said vertical wall, said strip extending beyond the outer edge of said inclined leg, and means for holding said strip in position comprising a rim forming a part of said strip and adapted to engage the under `surface of the tlat rim extending along the upper edge of said vertical wall of the frame.-

3. In a skylight construction, a framefor a skylight adapted to be mounted in generally horizontal position over an opening, said frame comprising agenerally vertical wall, a llat rim extending along the upper edge of said wall, an inclined legaextending outwardly from said frame at a point intermediate the top and bottom of said wall, said frame including a downwardly and outwardly inclined wall extending from the lower end of said wall and inclined at substantially the same angle as said inclined leg, a llat portion extending inwardly from the lower end of the inclined wall, said atvportion serving to support the glass blocks which are adjacent said frame, means extending inwardly fromisaid llat portion for positioning said glass blocks, a ilashing strip adapted to be positioned on said frame in contacting relationship with said inclined leg and said vertical wall, saidstrip extendA ing beyond the outer edge of said inclined leg, and means forV holding said strip in positionl comprising a wire adapted to engage said strip and said frame, said frame having a downwardly extending lip projecting from the outer end of said llat rimon the upper end of the wall with said wire positioned between said lip and said llashing strip.

4. In a skylight construction, the combination comprising a roof having an opening therein, a multiplicity of prefabricated panels supported'in substantially horizontal position over said opening,each;saidpanel, comprising a frame and a multiplicity of glass block units mounted within said frame, each said frame including a generally vertical wall and a downwardly and outwardly inclined leg extending from said frame rt a point intermediate the top and bottom of said vertical wall, means forming a joint between adjacent panels comprising means for supporting the ends of said adjacent panels, roong material extending between said panels and positioned in underlying relationship with the inclined leg of the frame of each said panel, thereby forming a drainage channel between said panels, said frame including a substantially at rim extending along the upper edge of said vertical wall and overlying at least a part of said inclined leg of the frame, a flashing strip adapted to be positioned on said frame in contacting relationship with said leg and extending beyond the outer edge of said inclined leg, and means for holding said strip in position.

5. In a skylight construction, the combination comprising a roof having an opening therein, a multiplicity of prefabricated panels supported in substantially horizontal position over said opening, each said panel comprising a frame and a multiplicity of glass block units mounted within said frame, each said frame including a generally vertical wall, a flat rim extending along the upper edge of said wall, an inclined leg extending outwardly from said frame at a point intermediate the top and bottom of said wall, said frame including a downwardly and outwardly inclined wall extending from the lower end of said wall and inclined at substantially the same angle as said inclined leg and a at portion extending inwardly from the lower end of the inclined wall, said flat portion serving to support the glass blocks which are adjacent said frame, means extending inwardly from said at portion for positioning said glass blocks, means for supporting adjacent panels, roofing material extending between said adjacent panels into underlying relationship with the inclined leg of the frame of each said panel, said frame including a substantially at rim extending along the upper edge of said vertical wall and overlying at least a part of said inclined leg of the frame, a hashing strip adapted to be positioned on said frame in contacting relationship with said inclined leg and extending beyond the outer edge of said inclined leg, and means for holding said strip in position.

6. In a skylight construction including a Prefabricated skylight panel adapted to be mounted in generally horizontal position over an opening in a ceiling or the like wherein said panel comprises a multiplicity of glass blocks positioned in edge-toedge relationship and a frame sur rounding said blocks, tne improvement wherein said frame comprises a generally vertical wall, a generally horizontal rim extending outwardly along the upper edge of said wall, an inclined leg extending outwardly from said frame at a point intermediate the top and bottom of said wall, said frame including a downwardly and outwardly inclined wall extending from the lower end of said vertical wall and inclined at substantially the same angle as said inclined leg, and a substantially horizontal portion extending inwardly from the lower end of the inclined wall, said horizontal portion serving to support glass blocks adjacent said frame, means extending inwardly from said frame for positioning said glass blocks relative to said frame, a ilashing strip positioned on said frame and having an inclined section in contact with said inclined leg and a vertical section in contact with the portion of said vertical wall between said inclined leg and said horizontal rim, said strip extending beyond the outer edge of said inclined leg, and means for holding said flashing strip in position.

7. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein said means for holding said ashing strip in position comprises a rim extending outwardly from said strip and engaging the under surface of said horizontal rim ex tending outwardly along the upper edge of said vertical wall of the frame.

8. The combination set forth in clairn 7 including a hook on the lower surface of said inclined section of said ashing strip and projecting inwardly below said inclined leg.

9. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein said means for holding said strip in position comprises a wire engaging said strip and frame, a lip projecting downwardly from the outer end of said horizontal rim on the upper end of said vertical wall, said wire being positioned between said lip and said ashing strip.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 881,964 Servatius Mar. 17, 1908 1,428,457 Swenson Sept. 5, 1922 2,168,798 Hirschman Aug. 8, 1939 2,422,837 Leuke .Tune 24, 1947 2,655,881 Lemke Oct. 20, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 527,053 Great Britain Oct. 1. 1940 

